Hurricane Kristy strengthens into a Category 2 storm in the Pacific Ocean

MEXICO CITY –

Hurricane Kristy strengthened into a Category 2 storm in the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday and was expected to remain away from land as it quickly grows more powerful, forecasters said.

The storm was 595 miles (960 kilometres) southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula of Mexico, and was moving west at 20 m.p.h. (31 km/h). It had maximum sustained winds of 100 m.p.h. (155 km/h), according to the Miami-based National Hurricane Center.

Kristy became a tropical storm Monday off of Mexico’s southern Pacific coast before strengthening Tuesday into a Category 1 hurricane. It was expected to rapidly intensify into a Category 3 storm Wednesday, forecasters said.

The storm was expected to continue moving over open waters without threatening land. There were no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

“This one is moving due westward at a quick forward speed well out to sea, so no concerns for land,” said Brad Reinhart, a senior hurricane specialist at the center.

In the Atlantic Ocean, Oscar disintegrated into tropical remnants Tuesday after making landfall in Cuba as a Category 1 hurricane on Sunday. The island is recovering from flooding and power outages.

Associated Press reporter Julie Walker in New York contributed to this report.